LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring John Lincoln upon the occasion of his
retirement after 14 years of distinguished service as President of the
New York Farm Bureau

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor John
Lincoln upon the occasion of his retirement after 14 years of distin-
guished service as President of the New York Farm Bureau; and
WHEREAS, John Lincoln's term as President will end in December of 2008
at the New York Farm Bureau's State Annual Meeting; in all, he served
for 29 years on the New York Farm Bureau Board of Directors; prior to
becoming President in 1994, he served as the organization's Vice Presi-
dent for nine years and for six years as Board member; he has also
served as the county President for Ontario County Farm Bureau; and
WHEREAS, Throughout this time, John Lincoln also remained a farmer,
operating Linholm Dairy LLC with his wife, Anne; over the years the farm
has expanded to include his daughter, Julie and son, Mike, ensuring that
the next generation of Lincolns will keep the farm located in Bloom-
field, New York; and
WHEREAS, John Lincoln also spearheaded the creation of the Farm
Viability Institute in Syracuse, New York; the Institute serves as a
primary economic development engine for agriculture, marrying applied
research, entrepreneurship, and farmers to create additional added value
farm products, improve farm profitability and sustainability, and help
maintain and create investments and jobs in agriculture; he serves as
chairman of the organization's board of directors; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his role as President of the New York Farm
Bureau, with almost 30,000 member families, John Lincoln also serves on
the board of directors of American Farm Bureau Federation, and through
this role he has been involved in numerous immigration, trade, and envi-
ronmental policy issues; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, John Lincoln is a board member of New York Coun-
cil of Agricultural Organizations, Cornell College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences Advisory Board, Farmland Protection Board of Ontario Coun-
ty, and the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education;
and
WHEREAS, He is also a member of the Upstate Milk Cooperative, the
Western New York Farm Credit, New York Holstein Association, Cornell
Cooperative Extension, New York Ag Society, East Bloomfield Historical
Society, St. Bridget's Church and the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his efforts of in-depth magnitude, John
Lincoln has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades some of
which include the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Outstanding Alumni Award and the Ontario County Rodney Lightfoote Agri-
cultural Innovation Award, as well as being a member of the Gamma Sigma
Delta-National Agricultural Honorary Society; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Anne, and their chil-
dren, Julie, Christie, David and Michael, all of whom feel privileged to
be a part of his life and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor John Lincoln upon the occasion of his retirement after 14 years of
distinguished service as President of the New York Farm Bureau; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Lincoln.